Flamingo Motel owner to face abuse charges

The 55-year-old owner of the Flamingo Motel in Fraser was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court on charges he abused his parents.

Eric Gala, charged with two counts of vulnerable adult abuse, was ordered Monday to face the charges in circuit court by 39th District Court Judge Joseph Boedeker, who presided over a two-day preliminary examination.

Boedeker said records show that Eric Gala made decisions on his parents’ behalf.

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“There is probably cause to believe there was a disregard for his parents,” Boedeker said from the bench. “Both suffered from serious conditions including the lack of nutrition and hydration for a long time.”

Fraser Department of Public Safety Officer Jason Poole testified that on Nov. 6 he found Chester and Norma Gala, Eric Gala’s parents, in a room that reeked of feces and urine, and was filled with flies. Dried feces was found on Norma Gala.

Poole also said Norma Gala was tied to a chair with an orange nylon strap, and the door knobs were removed to prevent the elderly couple from leaving the motel, located on the west side of Groesbeck Highway south of 14 Mile Road.

On Monday, the judge asked Chester Gala several questions to test his mental competency. He then allowed defense attorney Timothy Barkovic and county Assistant Prosecutor Suzanne Faunce to question him.

The 93-year-old man answered several of the judge’s questions but was confused by others.

He testified he received three meals a day and drinks. He told the court no one ever beat him, and he said he never complained about mistreatment.

Chester Gala said he wanted to stay at the motel because it was his place, adding it was convenient and he never asked to leave the Flamingo.

“I got food every morning, noon and night,” he said. “I always had enough to eat.”

He also testified Norma Gala was never mistreated.

He said his room received a “general cleaning” every day.

Chester Gala said he doesn’t remember being taken away the afternoon police were called from a disgruntled former Flamingo employee.

“He (Chester Gala) gave a correct response,” said Barkovic. “He knows the difference from right and wrong.”

Upon cross examination, Faunce asked Chester Gala what he had for breakfast that morning, and he responded he didn’t know. She asked what he had for breakfast two days ago.

“If I don’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning how am I supposed to remember what I had for breakfast two days ago?” he said.

The judge questioned Norma Gala and determined she is incompetent to testify. Family members said she suffers from dementia.

Both Galas now reside in the Autumn Woods nursing home after Macomb County Probate Judge Carl Marlinga revoked their son’s guardianship.

After being taken from the motel, court records showed the couple was held at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township for five days. The judge said the bed sores on Norma Gala’s body shows there were a failure to care for her.

Barkovic said more will come out in the future to show his client did not harm his parents. He said Eric Gala loves his parents and stood by their wishes to never put them into assisted living.

“Eric loved his parents,” Barkovic said. “He would do nothing to harm them.”

Before the preliminary examination began Monday, Barkovic objected to Faunce’s refusal to hand over medical documents. He also said there was no reason to refuse him medical records from Autumn Woods.

“I have given Mr. Barkovic medical records I have, but I’m not going to give him ongoing medical records as they’re happening,” Faunce said.